How much does a horse cost in Dubai?

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The price of horses in Dubai

The cost of buying a horse in Dubai can be surprising, but it all depends on its breed, origin, and intended use. Prices on the local market range from several thousand to even several million dirhams. 
The simplest working horses, without an outstanding pedigree, can be purchased for AED 20,000-50,000, or between 5 455 - 13 612 USD. However, in Dubai, where luxury is an everyday occurrence, horses with exceptional pedigrees, especially purebred Arabians, attract the most interest. The cost of Arabian horses in Dubai starts at around AED 100,000 and can reach up to AED 1-2 million at prestigious auctions.

Such a wide price range is due to the fact that Dubai is a global center for horse trading, attracting both breeders and investors from all over the world. The valuation of a particular animal depends on many factors: age, health, level of training and, above all, its pedigree. Horses from renowned breeding lines, such as those from Polish stud farms in Janów Podlaski or Michałów, are particularly highly regarded and often fetch impressive prices.

The price of racehorses in Dubai

When it comes to racehorses, prices in Dubai reach a completely different dimension. The city is famous for elite competitions such as the Dubai World Cup, which attract the best horses from around the world. Thoroughbreds and purebred Arabians are treated here as serious investments.

A young, promising racehorse costs at least 200,000 AED (approximately 54 450 USD), while the value of top horses with a successful track record can reach up to 10 million AED (approximately 3 USD million). An example is the mare Emandoria from the Michałów Stud, which won a gold medal at a show in Dubai in 2018 – her value was estimated at hundreds of thousands of dollars. Such horses are not only athletes, but also prestigious symbols of social status.

What makes these horses so expensive? First and foremost, it is their genes, sporting achievements and the reputation of their breeders. Dubai is home to world-class stables, such as those belonging to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, which invest huge sums in the purchase and training of animals, further driving up market prices.

Where do horses in Dubai come from?

Although Dubai is located in the desert, it is one of the most important horse breeding centers in the world, especially for Arabian horses. But where do the horses that end up in the United Arab Emirates come from? The answer is not simple, as the market there is a mixture of influences from many countries and continents.

• Middle East: Arabian horses, the pride of the region, originate from the Arabian Peninsula. This breed, known for its grace and endurance, was bred by the Bedouins over 2,500 years ago. Many horses in Dubai come from local stud farms, including those owned by the Al Maktoum family, which has one of the largest breeding bases in the world.
• Europe and Poland: Poland plays an important role in international Arabian horse breeding. Stud farms in Janów Podlaski and Michałów regularly supply horses to Dubai auctions. For example, the mare Kwestura from Michałów was sold for a record €1.125 million. Polish Arabians are valued for their beauty, character, and excellent performance.
• United States and other countries: Dubai also imports horses from the US, Australia, and the UK, especially thoroughbreds for racing. Renowned stud farms in Kentucky and Newmarket are a frequent source of these valuable animals.

The horse market in Dubai is therefore international in nature. Horses are imported from all over the world to meet the high expectations of local owners. In addition to imports, local centers such as Dubai International Endurance City are also developing their own breeding programs, focusing particularly on horses for long-distance endurance races, which are very popular in the region.

What are the costs of horse breeding in the United Arab Emirates?

Horse breeding in Dubai is not only a hobby but also a very expensive business. The UAE is one of the countries where keeping horses involves the highest expenses in the world, and this is influenced by a number of factors:

• Infrastructure: Dubai stables, such as those at Dubai International Endurance City, offer the highest standards – air-conditioned stalls, advanced irrigation systems, and modern equipment. The construction and ongoing maintenance costs of such facilities can reach millions of dirhams per year.
• Feed and supplementation: Due to the desert climate, feed must be imported, which significantly increases feeding costs. The monthly cost of keeping a horse is between AED 2,000 and AED 5,000 with sport horses requiring additional supplementation and special diets.
• Veterinary care: Regular health checks, vaccinations, and specialized treatments are standard. A single veterinary consultation costs between AED 300 and 600, but more serious procedures can cost several thousand dirhams.
• Training and staff: Professional preparation of a horse, especially a racehorse, requires the work of a qualified team. Trainers earn between AED 10,000 and AED 20,000 per month, and the rates of renowned experts can be significantly higher.
• Transport and participation in auctions: Importing a horse from abroad, e.g. from Poland or the United States, involves costs of around AED 20,000–50,000 for air transport. In addition, participation in prestigious events such as the Dubai International Horse Fair requires fees of several thousand dirhams.

Why is Dubai a paradise for horse lovers?

The horse market in Dubai is not just a sphere of trade — it is part of a lifestyle deeply rooted in tradition and harmoniously combined with modernity. The city offers much more than the opportunity to purchase unique horses — it also provides access to world-class racecourses, prestigious shows, and challenging long-distance rallies. Strong support from Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, himself a horse enthusiast, has made Dubai one of the most important equestrian centers in the world.

Although horse prices in Dubai can be very high, it is worth remembering that buying a valuable mount is not only a matter of prestige, but also a potential investment. International auctions, such as those held at the Dubai International Horse Fair, attract buyers from all over the world, and horses from Dubai often win top prizes at shows and competitions with a global reach.

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Questions and answers

1. What are the prices of Arabian horses in Dubai?

Prices for Arabian horses in Dubai start at around AED 100,000 for well-trained individuals, but can reach up to AED 1-2 million for horses from prestigious breeding lines. It all depends on the pedigree, age, training, and success at shows or auctions.

2. What are the prices of the best horses in Dubai?

The most valuable horses in Dubai — especially Arabians and racehorses from recognized breeding lines — can cost anywhere from 1 to even 10 million dirhams. Such prices apply to animals with exceptional pedigrees, documented sporting or show successes, such as mares from renowned Polish stud farms or horses belonging to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The high value of these horses stems from their genetics, the prestige of their breeding and their potential as an investment.

3. How much does a horse cost in Dubai?

In Dubai, horse prices start at around AED 20,000 for basic working horses and can reach up to AED 10 million for purebred Arabian or racehorses with exceptional pedigrees. The final value of an animal depends, among other things, on its breed, age, level of training, and sporting achievements. Horses from renowned stud farms, such as those in Janów Podlaski and Michałów in Poland, are the most highly valued. The dynamic, international nature of the Dubai market means that prices are further driven by growing demand and interest from investors around the world.